We’re going streaming! No? Okay, it’s just me then. As I was doing the research for this week, two things happened. One, I threw up at the possibility of adding any of these lower end guys. Secondly, I kept thinking that maybe I am losing touch with the fantasy world. Has one week really shifted to a baseball tangent of have-nots having relevant value. I’m befuddled at the lack of value for this week’s streaming party. With all the lower end pitching that is out there we get 2 start games from possibly the worst 4 teams in baseball (with their respective options for fantasy goodies). I am upset and demand a pamphlet or at least a seminar on how this happened. This week may be a decent week for you to string along 2 or 3 separate one start pitchers instead. I have included a small list of them as well for your viewing enjoyment. So as you read this, approach with caution and just be confident of the fact that better times are coming for two start pitchers. Good luck. (Please be aware that pitchers and match ups change)
One Start options:
Phil Coke – @Sea vs. Fister 4/19
Esmil Rogers – SF vs. Sanchez4/19
R.A. Dickey – Hou vs. Norris 4/20
Jon Garland – Atl vs. Lowe 4/20
Charlie Morton – @Fla vs. Nolasco 4/20
Josh Tomlin – @KC vs. O’Sullivan 4/21
Kyle Lohse – Was vs. Gorzellany 4/21
Derek Holland – KC vs. Francis 4/22
Clayton Richard – Phi vs. Blanton 4/22
Kevin Correia (@Cin-Wood, Was- Hernandez) – Looked good for 5 innings in last start, unfortunately it isn‘t tee-ball. Lack of K’s is unappealing. Staff aces on mediocre teams get no love.
Jake Westbrook (Was-Lannan, Cin-Lecure) – By name he looks awesome this week. By performance, one would think Duncan hates his guts. Let’s be honest he is a lunch pail ground ball pitcher — no more, no less.
Sam LeCure (Ari-Galarraga, @STL-Westbrook) – 2nd start may be in question with DL returnees Bailey and Cueto. Does a really great Robert Smith impression for his Quebec-based cover band. Seems destined to be in and out of rotation all year.
John Lannan (@STL-Westbrook, @Pit-Maholm) – Decent career numbers against the ‘Lou. Better match-ups this week than the last 2, Nats need to start hitting, starting to be referenced with the Mariners.
Brandon Beachy (@LA-Kuroda, @SF-Lincecum) – Ugh and yuck. Doesn’t seem to be getting any easier for the sleeper. 2 rough road starts.
Jason Vargas (Det-Scherzer, Oak-Anderson) – One bad start in between 2 decent. Can’t trust a team that doesn’t score, plain and simple.
Dustin Moseley (@CHC-TBD, Phi-Lee) – Only given up 4 ER all year in 3 decent starts. Hodgepadre indeed.
Bruce Chen (Cle-Carrasco, @Tex-Holland) – Last 10 starts dating back to last year, 7-1 with a 3.45 ERA. I can’t make stuff up like that.
Fausto Carmona (@KC-Davies, @Min-Liriano) – Unreliable, best word I can think of. Based on match-ups though it makes sense. Minny has 3, count them 3 HR’s all year. The Indians are getting it done though, don’t have the talent to sustain but will be a headache for awhile.
Jonathon Niese (Hou-Rodriquez, Ari-Galarraga) – Last 2 starts not so hot, next 2 pale in comparison by offensive measures. Two starts at Metco, a resounding… maybe. The Wandwagon has lost its wheels and is now a sled and ‘Almost Perfect’ has been anything but.
i might have to try out chen
Razzballers, I need some 2B help, please (12 team, 5×5, H2H, 2 UTIL spots, 8 regular spots):
I have Danny Espinosa right now, available are:
Ryan Raburn
O. Hudson
R. Theriot
J. Herrera
A. Sanchez
M. Izturis
A. Callaspo
and the like.
I’m leaning towards Hudson, since he’s batting 3rd and has the perpetual green light on the basepaths (he’s already 6-6 SB). I just keep holding on to Espinosa’s upside…
Would you use a weekly slot for Oswalt and his ailing “mid-back strain”? Or sit this week for D. Hudson or Kennedy?
@buge hoobs I would sit him, also I believe Oswalt had lower back problems 2 years ago…cust saying
Who is this Bruce Chen guy? Should I be taking him seriously?
@AM2: O-Dog.
@Buge Hoobs: Nope, he seems destined to miss one start. D Hudson in his place.
@Ozzie: Seriously prolly noy whole heartedly, but still produces. Lack of K’s, team potential and no “brand” name hurt him.
Who do you prefer for the remainder of the season, Posada or Soto?
Also, Herrera or Freese, as a short term fill in for Zimmerman?
Are Morton and/or Chen better than Beachy and/or Narveson? My gut says yes on Beachy, no Narveson (although his lack of control last night was troubling).
Someone in my competitive league actually dropped Jay Bruce, how much of my $84 FAAB left should I bid? I usually like to spend much more earlier in the season since its a roto league, but is ~45 too much or too little?
@Smokey – Does Ogando or C.J. go tomorrow @ NYY? The one that doesn’t should line up for two starts.
HAHahaha…would be brilliant if he really looked like Robert Smith.
@AnotherFalstaff: Its listed as Ogando, but he has a blister problem so he could be changed out at the last moment. Dont forget about Lewis’ return also, he should fit in the mix there somewhere as well.
@royce!: God i hope not.
chacin or lilly? where’s the upside here. i own lilly and chacin is on the waiver wire. should i make the swap???
just traded Tulo ($22 this year, $25 next and 28 following) for C.Lee (cant be kept) and S.Castro (7 this year 10 next)…my SP blow – yet someone in my league vetoed thinking i didnt give up enough to get lee and castro…thoughts? leaguemate a douche or just bitter?
wow, that Chen stat is unbelievable.
@mindicohn: douche…. i think you undersold TULO….
@Smokey
10-team, ESPN total season points mixed league…Add/Drop Question…should I look to add Beachy, Rauch, Sale or Sergio Santos, or Sam Fuld? Guys I can drop are Carlos Pena, Hiroki Kuroda, Jordan Zimmerman. Are any of the available worth getting? ANd who should I drop?
Thanks
Which side of this deal is better? (5X5 roto league)
Angel Pagan OR Torii Hunter and Kyle Drabek
What if it was just
Angel Pagan for Torii Hunter?
what are our thoughts on Morneau? just needs more time? I’m a little bit worried now with Mauer out and in that ballpark. accept Werth for Morneau?
Mixed 5×5 , Looking at the best hitter from this point forward, it’s between:
1. Kubel
2. Wigginton (added bonus of pos flexibility)
3. Macier Izturis (added bonus of pos flexibility)
4. Venable
5. Cody Ross
6. Seth Smith
7. Hawpe
8. Matt Joyce
9. McClouth
10. Chris Heisey
would you drop any of these if David Murphy or Willingham became available?
OK Razzballers: I am rich in power, and weak on k’s in a 2 catcher 5×5 league. Would you take Poo-holes/Daniel Hudson for Fielder/Posey?
@paulzone72: Yep, we saw the Chacin upside yesterday.
@mindicohn: Vetos are dumb.
@Bryan: Pena is almost droppable, but i wouldnt for any of the short term solutions you listed.
@Eric: Hunter for Pagan is a fair enough deal, your trading HR potential for sb.
@KCC26: No one on Minny is hitting for any power, concern sure but not overly give it another 10-15 games than start to worry.
@fantasyphil: Joyce or McCouth are useless to me.
@HoosierDaddy: i prolly would, depends on who ur catchers are though that wouldnt be a point to hold me back as i usually still half punt on catchers in 2 catcher leagues.
@grey
id say fister should be included in this post. his home road splits last year were crazy and he could provide decent value this week in seattle vs detroit
I currently have Liriano / Ian Kennedy / Dempster as 3 of my starters. After this weak I was pretty nervous in terms of SP so i just nabbed Ogando off of waivers.
Only problem, my team was pretty set on offense so I had to drop Wieters (I only have R. Martin at Catcher now, Alex Avila is on Waivers too).
Wieters for Ogando in that position, smart or knee-jerk reaction?
@Smokey: Has the Harangatan’s long term value changed in your opinion?
Just got offered F-Her for Weaver straight up. Natural inclination is to jump on this offer immediately, but unfortunately Wins are still a statistic and Felix’s start is a tad troubling. I understand its a small sample size but have there been any underlying velocity issues or anything else that has led to his rocky start? Pretty sure i should have clicked accept by now.
@Jake: Grab it and go. Hernandez is the best pitcher in baseball. Just be warned – the M’s have a double A offense, so he will struggle to record wins. Getting abused by the Royals pitching staff is just embarassing….
What’s up with Aaron Hill putting up Eric Young Jr. numbers?
For the foreseeable future: Narveson, Harang, Masterson, or Ogando? Coke, Pavano, E. Rodgers still available as well. Thanks!
@matt: He would add to the crappiness of the 2 start options this week i try to cut it off at 10.
@Nomar Mr. Nice Guy: Any catcher that is sort of hitting, gets regular at bats and gets you some resemblance of stats works. I would rather have Weiters than Martin but you added in another area that you needed.
@Jake: On paper it looks like a no brainer, if you want F-her and his 12 wins or basically last year tahn you would take him. On the other hand weaver is no slouch and the wins +/- 6 do they outweigh the difference in era and k’s. I would rather have the wins but they are hard to predict.
@Eddie: I had Harang alittle higher as compared to others. SD is like playing on the moon, completely different atmosphere for pitchers.
@bob@867-5309: He seems to be pressing, that good old Dwayne Murphy hitting philosophy. Most troubling is the 10/1 k/bb rate he is usually a 2.5/1 kind of guy. That to me says pressing.
I meant all of the SBs to go with a low average. Just stole another today (now up to 5 on the year).
@Black Beard: Lots of good options, Harang for home starts and Narveson and Masterson for matchups.
@bob@867-5309: Well Farrell said he would be running so I guess he isnt a liar.
He’s going to be 20/20 if he keeps this up (well, actually hitting his 1st HR might help, but I still think he’ll be safe for 20+ bombs).
When do we jump on the Jed Lowrie band wagon? He is producing when given AB’s. SS eligible. …could be a fantasy season game changer…played well last year as well…cust saying
Rank these SPs for the remainder of the season: Brandon McCarthy, Phil Coke, Bud Norris.
Would you drop Zobrist for Espinosa or Herrera? Zobrist has been terrible so far this year.
@bob@867-5309: I think he gets 20 steals first though he has a head start.
@Ozzie: He did look good in the lead off spot, but i doubt Boston turns it over to him anytime soon. Figure 20-30 more games of Scutaro.
@PepeSilvia: Norris(Just cause of K’s), Coke, McCarthy. Mccarty needs to pitch for more than 2 starts to prove anything to me.
@MrHappyTime: I wouldn’t to early to cast off Ben. Though keep an eye on Herrera based soley on where he bats plenty of run producers behind him.
@Smokey: MR time! What’s your take on Melancon? You think he’s the 8th-inning guy now and first in line when Lyon implodes?
@all: got offered:
V.Wells, C.Pena and Y.Escobar for my Dunn.
I would have to drop bourjous and aviles.
Thoughts?
@quimmy: I would keep Dunn.
Thanks Smokey, the two start articles are great.
@Steve: I like Melancon, with Lopez ailing with elbow issues. Long term in Houston it doesnt look to bright but Melancon is the closest they have to a closer after Lyon
@quimmy: garbage does not equal quality, keep dunn
@Nomar Mr. Nice Guy: Thx
@smokey…
I am total season points league w/ 10 teams.
Should I trade Jimmy Rollins & K-Rod for Alexi Ramirez and Shin-soo Choo?
I got off to a hot start in my league but have started to slip in hitting and pitching categories (but mostly pitching). I am first in waiver priority, and I was wondering if I should use that position to snag some recent player drops.
Should I go after J. Masterson or C. Pena, both of whom were dropped in recent trades in my league? Is Masterson worth grabbing and will Pena turn things around? And which is more likely to produce consistently throughout the season?
Thx for any help.
Hi Grey. I have Placido Craplanco manning 2B and just picked up Herrera as an extra guy for the weekend. Since they both hit in the 2 hole in front of two big name bats, which one should I keep? Will Herrera roofie me?
My bad . . . . I meant Hey Smokie!
I am so f’in frustrated with Mini Mini Donkey. The guy has an OBP below .100! HOW IS THAT REMOTELY POSSIBLE?!?!?!
Verlander just picked off DeJesus. Who was batting…
My pitching line in RCL ORD for today.
5.1 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 13.50 ERA, 2.63 WHIP
Woooooo. Serves me right for thinking my 5.0 ERA for the year couldn’t possibly go up.
I’m guessing Esmil Rogers is actually in line for 2 starts this week, as Ubaldo is going to get that Tuesday, 4/19 start.
That puts Rogers v SF (Lincecum) and @ FLA (Johnson).
From mlb.com: He [Ublado] is now slated to start Tuesday in the second game of a three-game set with the Giants. Esmil Rodgers will pitch Monday on normal rest, and Jorge De La Rosa will pitch on Wednesday.
smokey and/or anyone else….
h2h 8×8 keeper league-I already have W’s locked up this wk,so should I start Ogando against CC and the Yanks?I think I could get a QS and 5-6 K’s.is it worth the risk of him blowing up my ERA and WHIP?
also….same league,when Ubaldo comes off the DL I have to drop a player.Herera,Snider or Carlos Pena?I really like Herera hitting ahead of Cargo and Tulo,especially since I need SB’s,but….Pena’s 30/90 past seems too valuable to toss away,and I just cant get over my Snider fascination-even w/out the mustache.
Should I go with Ubaldo vs SF at Coors or throw the two-start Wandy (@ NYM, @ MIL)?
I could also just go with another closer by putting Walden in there (3 games @ TX, 4 vs BOS).
@Bryan: yes.
@dbomm: Pena stinks out loud.
@Hats for Bats: Nothing from Herrera’s minor league stats suggest that he will be anything but a servicable middle infielder with speed, think Erick Aybar.
@Eddie: Strug-a-lin.
@pubscout:Wasnt watching, sorry.
@freak: Yikes well it could be worse.
@Rox in Sox: Thx for the heads up.
@24hourjack: Sit Ogando. Depends on your alternatives for those positions for the players listed but based on names alone Pena or Herrera would go.
@Earl Battey: Wandy looks really bad, I fast fowarded his last start and he is not hitting his spots and velocity is down. Go with Ubaldo and Walden.
@Smokey – Roll with Carrasco’s two starts or Gallardo’s one? Thanks!
@Smokey – Also, will things go better with Coke (long run)?
@Smokey -
Im employing a punting strategy in a 6 x 6 league, im focusing on these 9 categories (runs, homeruns, rbi’s, average, and total bases) and (wins, k’s, quality starts, and saves)
Having said that who wins this trade:
Martin Prado, Jason Heyward, and K-rod
for
Brian Roberts, Curtis Granderson, and Soria
@Smokey -
Jimenez off the DL tomorrow so who should I axe:
League, Franklin, Norris, Colby Lewis?
Um. So much for Sam LeCure. ugh.
I have no patience. I have the attention span of a was that a squirrel or is my cat Razzball is so cool.
Anyway, I am a serial dropper/adder. Do you have a 12-step program? 8-team mixed H2H points. Since season started i’ve dropped A.Hill, Uggla, Rajai D., Carroll, Bradley, and added Beckham (dropped a week later for Herrera today), Britton, Masterson (dropped for Britton a week ago just before they met — gotta stop this second-guessing), T.Wood, Harang, Narveson (for today’s start), D.Ortiz, R.Martin. How many of those were serious mistakes, and should i learn to be more there goes a cement mixer